What to do with Holds?

[bignuts]

I'm in an h2h 7x7 yahoo keeper league that counts holds, (I've never been in a league that counted this stat.) What type of strategy do you recommend. I've listed my pitching staff below.

What are some strategies with holds? Do I need someone to get them? Who would I drop? Do I just ignore that category?

Halladay
Willis
Pettitte
Schmidt
Lee
Haren
Escobar

Wagner
Dempster
Valvede

Thanks

[WittyC]

A good thread on this can be found here.

As far as strategy, I wouldn't worry too much. It's pretty volatile from year to year as far as who will be good for holds. Depending on what stat categories you're using in your 7x7, the addition of holds could affect the relative value of the other pitchers in your league.

[bignuts]

thanks for the help.

[acsguitar]

Find the setup men is usually my best advice and keep an eye on the wavier wires

[swyck]

If you're counting holds I'd say that 7 SP is too many. Of course I dont generally carry more then 5 with or without holds.

You also have some good SPs. With that staff your could get away with punting holds, but that's giving away one cat a week. That's a loss each week. I'd go with 5 or 6 SPs, and add at least one RP that could get you some holds, with good K/9, era and whip.

Wagner and Valverde are good closers, but I'm not sold on Dempster at having any real value. If Shields, Linebrink, Ducherere, or Betancourt are available I'd snap them up and cut Dempster without blinking. You could try to move one of your SP, and Dempster to make room for a good MR.

How are your bats?